Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune predicted Friday
"a return to normal"
relations with France, in the midst of the crisis, provided they are done on an
"equal to equal" basis.
French President Emmanuel Macron had sparked the wrath of Algiers after remarks, reported on October 2 by the French daily
Le Monde
, accusing the
Algerian
“politico-military” system
of maintaining a
“memorial rent”
.
According to the daily, he questioned the existence of an Algerian nation before French colonization.
Read also Algerian War: Emmanuel Macron facing the memory trap
In protest, Algeria recalled its ambassador to France and banned the overflight of its territory to French military planes serving the Sahel, where the troops of the anti-jihadist operation Barkhane are deployed. Asked about this diplomatic crisis during an interview with Algerian media broadcast Friday evening by official television, Abdelmadjid Tebboune affirmed that
"it is necessary that these relations return to normal, provided that the other party (France ) conceive them on a basis of equals, without provocation ”.
"We agree that we deal with each other so as not to harm the interests of each party, but we will not accept that we are imposed anything,"
added Abdelmadjid Tebboune. The French presidency had let it be known on November 10 that Emmanuel Macron
“regrets the controversies and misunderstandings”
with Algeria and ensures that he has
“the greatest respect for the Algerian nation”
and
“its history”.
The head of Algerian diplomacy Ramtane Lamamra had welcomed these statements
"showing respect"
to his country.
In his interview, Abdelmadjid Tebboune also criticized the unprecedented visit made this week by Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz to Morocco, Algeria's enemy brother in the Maghreb.
Referring to a security cooperation contract signed between Morocco and Israel on this occasion, Abdelmadjid Tebboune denounced a visit
"of shame"
and spoke of
"a threat"
against his country.